Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Justice? We'll See

Martin Barrios, a 35-year-old factory worker who became a public face for the millions of illegal immigrants who, if deported, would have to leave their U.S.-born children behind, was arrested Friday morning.

According to a spokesperson from Centro Sin Fronteras, a local immigrant-rights group, Barrios was arrested at his Berwyn home about 6:30 a.m. Friday in his pajamas, as his wife and children watched.

Barrios brought the story of his struggle to stay in the United States to the Sun-Times in April. At that time, he had his hopes set on a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) that would have kept him and 35 other Illinoisans with "mixed immigration status" in the U.S. The bill has not passed the House.

I said back in April that I felt sorry for his kids. Still do. But what Barrios and, evidently, millions of illegal aliens need to face up to is the fact that they put themselves -- and their families -- in this position by their illegal activities. If there is no consequence to illegal activity, then we might as well just do away with the law altogether and drop the pretense of trying to have a civilization here.

The only thing the government is at fault for is taking so damn long. And don't think I'm holding my breath that his arrest will necessarily result in justice. ICE spokeswoman Gail Montenegro:

"From our standpoint, he's here in defiance of an outstanding deportation order," she said, while adding, "we have no confirmed departure dates."

Jake Update...The whole "He was arrested in his underwear with a morning piece of wood" is so played. For the ig'nant among us (I'm looking at you Emma Lozano), the ass end of the morning is when police conduct raids. This is an optimal time for a variety of reasons, the perp is most likely to be home and he will be sleepy and disoriented thus easier to nab. Sheesh! Haven't any of these losers ever seen "The Fugitive?"